PM Modi travels to Uttarakhand for a day and prays at Parvati Kund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Thursday, commencing his daylong tour to the border state with a darshan of the Adi Kailash mountain, an abode of Lord Shiva, and a puja at Parvati Kund in Jolingkong.

Modi was met by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the ITBP helipad in Jolingkong. The prime minister will launch and lay the foundation stone of numerous development projects and address a public assembly here during the visit.

Wearing a traditional tribal attire complete with a white hat and an off-white ‘ranga’ (a robe like upper body garment), Modi conducted a ‘aarti’ and blew the conch shell at the Shiva-Parvati temple located along the banks of Parvati Kund in Jolingkong.

He was mentored by local monks Virendra Kutiyal and Gopal Singh. He also sat in meditation momentarily with folded hands in front of the Adi Kailash summit, also at Jolingkong.

Modi then traveled to the border hamlet of Gunji where he mingled with people and security officers, and visited a display of local items such warm woollen garments and antiquities. He was joined by Dhami and Chief Secretary S S Sandhu.

In the Gunji hamlet, situated roughly 36 kilometers down from Jolingkong, the prime minister was granted a warm greeting by the members of the Rung tribe including ladies in their traditional costume.

The prime minister the villagers affectionately: touching the hands of an elderly tribal lady and collecting her blessings, stroking a kid strapped around mother’s back and bowing to the throng.

After his performance at Gunji, the prime minister proceeded for Jageshwar Dham, an ancient shrine dedicated to lord Shiva in Almora district.

He reached Shaukiyathal helipad at 11.38 am and traveled along the road to Jageshwar Dham, some 15 kilometers distant.

After doing puja, parikrama around the jyotirlinga and meditation at Jageshwar Dham, the prime minister will enjoy a meal comprising of Kumaoni delicacies there.

After this he will proceed to Pithoragarh where he will launch and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 4,200 crore before addressing a public assembly at the S S Waldia Sports Stadium.

As he travels from the Naini Saini airport to the public gathering location, cultural troupes from the Kumaon area will greet the prime minister at different places along a rebuilt six-km route which has been covered with murals and paintings.